Do gaijin look good in a "Kimono"?
- Thread starter Jack
- Start date
furan
後輩
- 7 May 2005
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*dies laughing*RockLee said:
Japanese... in lederhosen......
please thell me you've read that book and it's got nothing to do with the fact you're German?
i vote SHEEP!
because... i really do..
ANYWAYS... i have a kimono... not a very good one tho.. it's more a 'dressing gown'... but it is from Japan :?
and we used to have these vietnese ones... (like, when i was 7 - hence why i don;t any more
)i was always told i looked cute in it...
heh, i loved that thing to shreds
(would be another reason why i don't still have it )but.. then i had big blond curls and large round sky blue eyes (i said had.. my hair's now pinky-red
)... and i got called cute no matter what i wore .... my sister's never siad i look bad... and trust me, she'd be the first to let me know...
i don't think i look...bad as far as i go (tho... it's not the most flattering of colours on me - white)
tho i am forever forgetting which side goes over which >.<
Chipi
Yancha
- 10 Mar 2003
- 438
- 15
My answer: No.
I loved wearing yukata (even tried on a wedding kimono once), and I absolutely love the feeling of obi and geta, but i still think I look a little weird in kimono etc.
It doesnt matter how handsom or beautiful, attractive you are as a person, but in general, if a gaijin wears kimono it just doesnt look as authentic and beautiful as when the Japanese wear it. And, i think the Japanese have the inborn skill to wear kimono in an elegant, beautiful way.
Before I tried the yukata on for the first time, i was actually against wearing it.. somehow I think its like a national costume, that belongs only to the native Japanese. i felt as I didnt have "the right" to wear it.. (and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)
I loved wearing yukata (even tried on a wedding kimono once), and I absolutely love the feeling of obi and geta, but i still think I look a little weird in kimono etc.
It doesnt matter how handsom or beautiful, attractive you are as a person, but in general, if a gaijin wears kimono it just doesnt look as authentic and beautiful as when the Japanese wear it. And, i think the Japanese have the inborn skill to wear kimono in an elegant, beautiful way.
Before I tried the yukata on for the first time, i was actually against wearing it.. somehow I think its like a national costume, that belongs only to the native Japanese. i felt as I didnt have "the right" to wear it.. (and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)
Silverpoint
後輩
- 17 Jul 2005
- 483
- 44
Chipi said:
You enjoy having your breathing restricted, and being virtually unable to eat!?
;-) ;-) ;-)
- 28 Jul 2005
- 5,238
- 172
Of course the answer has to be the last one, in all reasonableness. I have seen a number of Western women wearing kimonos who looked just as natural as the Japanese. The body's mass, is no obsticle, and shape affects little, but with an artist's perception, would say that overall proportions make the difference. These ladies I've seen who do look so good, have been here for a while, have professional jobs (like running an Japanese inn[okami san], etc.)
Guys, I don't know I have seen few. I looked o.k., if I may say so, in the kimono I wore for the wedding pictures, but then, it was the kimono, and not me that made it look good. Earlier I was given a kimono to wear, but I did not look good in it (basically because my lower legs are naturally not built up well enough. But if it looks good, wear it. Some do, some don't !!
Guys, I don't know I have seen few. I looked o.k., if I may say so, in the kimono I wore for the wedding pictures, but then, it was the kimono, and not me that made it look good. Earlier I was given a kimono to wear, but I did not look good in it (basically because my lower legs are naturally not built up well enough. But if it looks good, wear it. Some do, some don't !!
kirei_na_me
Where I'm Supposed to Be
- 31 Jan 2003
- 5,051
- 166
Hehe...I like that...
Kinsao
Horizon Rider
- 8 May 2005
- 8,515
- 143
Hehe that pic is very good!
I'd be interested to try wearing a kimono. In fact, I think it looks like quite a flattering style, no matter what is your figure... but I could be proved draaastically wrong, lol. I guess maybe I could get away with it because I'm quite short (5' 3''). Although I think I have the wrong sorts of curves.
Hmmm, I do tend to think it looks maybe odd on gaijin though (I mean people who are obviously looking like not Japanese in descent), not because of the flatteringness or otherwise of the garment, but because of all it's cultural associations. It looks like someone playing dress-up.
I'd be interested to try wearing a kimono. In fact, I think it looks like quite a flattering style, no matter what is your figure... but I could be proved draaastically wrong, lol. I guess maybe I could get away with it because I'm quite short (5' 3''). Although I think I have the wrong sorts of curves.
Hmmm, I do tend to think it looks maybe odd on gaijin though (I mean people who are obviously looking like not Japanese in descent), not because of the flatteringness or otherwise of the garment, but because of all it's cultural associations. It looks like someone playing dress-up.
MajideSaiaku
tsuyaku o tsukete kudasai
- 19 Jan 2005
- 1,381
- 59
I have a Yukata, but ive never worn it except once or twice to look in the mirror (im bad ).
I would say in general westerners dont look good in them, but, thats only because its not expected dress for us.
Still, im sure ive seen westerners in kimono's and yukata's who've looked okay.
).I would say in general westerners dont look good in them, but, thats only because its not expected dress for us.
Still, im sure ive seen westerners in kimono's and yukata's who've looked okay.
Flashjeff
Pink Lady's Number #1 Fan
- 28 Dec 2003
- 2,585
- 77
Yo, deadhippo! That pic is outrageous! I love it! And to answer the question, while I can't speak for the rest of western civilization, the only thing I know is that I'd suck like a Hoover in one! Hell, I barely look normal in any sort of clothes!
Aside: My mother has one that will be passed down to me... one that has been in my family for 2 generations... its really pretty & i heard very expensive.
I think it all depends on how you wear it. My dad has kimonos (hes Euro-Scandinavian), and he looks fine... and he's tall. I think its also because my mom knows what kimono (style etc) will look good on him. I'm sure if she picked up a crappy, cheap one, he'd look weird *LOL*...
I think it all depends on how you wear it. My dad has kimonos (hes Euro-Scandinavian), and he looks fine... and he's tall. I think its also because my mom knows what kimono (style etc) will look good on him. I'm sure if she picked up a crappy, cheap one, he'd look weird *LOL*...
- 23 Sep 2005
- 1,295
- 76
I think its how you wear the kimono and what your body shape is like. I've seen some pics of westerners wearing kimono right and wrong- it looks terible when they wear them the wrong way like they are wearing a dressing gown or somthing.
Alot also depends on the kimono and obi's design and how the colors and patterns/pictures compliment you, i would like to wear kimono somday and i am a english girl but i know i could never look good in say, a pink or yellow kimono or anything else bold or brightly colored. Even if you are japanese you have to chose your kimono very carefully.
Padding helps alot as if you are realy curvy it helps neutralise your curves if you use and wear the right type of padding. Kimono are also supposed to be worn quite loosely apparently, if you wear them all tight it just doesn't look right wether you are japanese or not. If you have a rather angular face but have long hair, wearing your hair down helps draw attention away from places like your cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
I also suppose things like plucking your eyebrows helps make them seem less pronounced and also wearing foundation will help make the contours of your face seem less obvious. Other touchs like using mascara on your eye lashs and eyebrow pencil on your eyebrows to darken them i guess would also help as i've noticed alot of japanese women have thick dark lash's and thin dark eyebrows.
Wearing the kimono correctly itself and having all the right other peices of clothing to go with it helps alot.
I think men find it easier to wear kimono and look alright than women in general. I think if you are a woman though, as long as you are slim, have reasonably long hair, don't have a broad nose or square face you should look good in kimono .
Alot also depends on the kimono and obi's design and how the colors and patterns/pictures compliment you, i would like to wear kimono somday and i am a english girl but i know i could never look good in say, a pink or yellow kimono or anything else bold or brightly colored. Even if you are japanese you have to chose your kimono very carefully.
Padding helps alot as if you are realy curvy it helps neutralise your curves if you use and wear the right type of padding. Kimono are also supposed to be worn quite loosely apparently, if you wear them all tight it just doesn't look right wether you are japanese or not. If you have a rather angular face but have long hair, wearing your hair down helps draw attention away from places like your cheeks, nose, chin or forehead.
I also suppose things like plucking your eyebrows helps make them seem less pronounced and also wearing foundation will help make the contours of your face seem less obvious. Other touchs like using mascara on your eye lashs and eyebrow pencil on your eyebrows to darken them i guess would also help as i've noticed alot of japanese women have thick dark lash's and thin dark eyebrows.
Wearing the kimono correctly itself and having all the right other peices of clothing to go with it helps alot.
I think men find it easier to wear kimono and look alright than women in general. I think if you are a woman though, as long as you are slim, have reasonably long hair, don't have a broad nose or square face you should look good in kimono
.
deadhippo
先輩
- 9 Apr 2005
- 383
- 30
@Tokis-Phoenix
its seems that you are saying that if you make yourself look as japanese as possible you may look good in a kimono
its seems that you are saying that if you make yourself look as japanese as possible you may look good in a kimono
- 23 Sep 2005
- 1,295
- 76
Lol maybe, but the kimono in my opinion is supposed to look realy slender and straight which most japanese are blessed at being from what i've gathered. Most westerners are just too bulky or angular- some westerners don't even look good in their own clothes, like say how many girls could you say pull off a skin clinging size 12 sexy black little dress realy well? Even for that most of us would have to change our appearance a bit to look good in it.
Everybody looks alright in things like jeans or T-shirts or trainers, the kimono in that sense is like the sexy little dress- most of us can't wear it very easily. A tall broad curvy western girl with a broad nose and angular cheeks just wouldn't be able to wear the kimono as it should be very well. Most japanese don't have that sort of frame though which is why think they look better in kimono in general- it was designed for them to wear over hundreds of years.
Everybody looks alright in things like jeans or T-shirts or trainers, the kimono in that sense is like the sexy little dress- most of us can't wear it very easily. A tall broad curvy western girl with a broad nose and angular cheeks just wouldn't be able to wear the kimono as it should be very well. Most japanese don't have that sort of frame though which is why think they look better in kimono in general- it was designed for them to wear over hundreds of years.
deadhippo
先輩
- 9 Apr 2005
- 383
- 30
I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure that the opposite may actaually be closer to the truth. I've heard that in the olden days japsnese ladies were supposed to be a bit stout in order for the kimono to look good and the same is true for them today. Of course the japanese stout is no comparison to the modern stout girl in the west. (No, I'm not talking about beer)Tokis-Phoenix said:
If you have ever seen a thin japanese girl put on a kimono you will easily understand what im saying. The kimono is indeed designed to be straight but not so slender. Thin girls have to put a lot of padding around their waists and I meana lot to fill out the kimono.
Again i could be wrong, and when I get the chance I will seek some confirmation.
Silverpoint
後輩
- 17 Jul 2005
- 483
- 44
My wife wears about half a dozen towels tucked under her obi
budd
先輩
- 10 Jul 2003
- 2,069
- 19
i cant find the quote button on these keyboards after five years, oh well
anyway
(and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)
they expect it ime
staying in hotels, its not enough just to speak japanese to them
using the yukata and drinking the tea seems to get so much more positive attention from them
THEY think we look cool, its we who think we look ridiculous
girl who loves louie vuitton to death and always has those sweater sets sent me a yukata and getas for my birthday
still trying to figure it out, as the yukata + getas are too small for me
of course i sent several gifts and said thanks as well, but still
anyway
(and was actually really surprised about all the positive comments I got from the Japanese people when wearing yukata)
they expect it ime
staying in hotels, its not enough just to speak japanese to them
using the yukata and drinking the tea seems to get so much more positive attention from them
THEY think we look cool, its we who think we look ridiculous
girl who loves louie vuitton to death and always has those sweater sets sent me a yukata and getas for my birthday
still trying to figure it out, as the yukata + getas are too small for me
of course i sent several gifts and said thanks as well, but still
- 23 Sep 2005
- 1,295
- 76
budd said:
Can we see a pic of you in yukata please? I would realy love to see a pic!
anjusan
先輩
- 6 Nov 2005
- 152
- 13
I believe it is not a really a question of ethnicity but rather poise...
With Buntaro's permission, I would like to use the following picture to emphasize my theory.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/tsunade1/buntaro001.jpg
Don't they look too cute?!
With Buntaro's permission, I would like to use the following picture to emphasize my theory.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/tsunade1/buntaro001.jpg
Don't they look too cute?!
Last edited:
.::b|ue Ash::.
4n1m3 0bss3s3d
- 28 Nov 2005
- 170
- 1
Gaijin = Non Japanese. So it applies to anyone of any race.
I have no idea as I have seen little to no foreigners in Kimonos. Being that I am skinny, with no breast, no butt and pale I'd probably not look to shabby in one myself. lol.
I have no idea as I have seen little to no foreigners in Kimonos. Being that I am skinny, with no breast, no butt and pale I'd probably not look to shabby in one myself. lol.
